April 27, 2009
Posted: April 27th, 2009 03:51 PM ET

From
A new national poll suggests that President Barack Obama is personally more popular than his policies.
A new national poll suggests that President Barack Obama is personally more popular than his policies.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new national poll suggests that President Barack Obama is personally more popular than his policies.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, released Monday, also indicates that 63 percent of Americans approve of how Obama is handling his duties as president. One in three questioned in the poll disapprove.

Democrats overwhelming approve of how Obama is handling his job as president; 61 percent of independents agree. Only 28 percent of Republicans say the president is doing a good job in office.

The survey, released two days before Obama marks 100 days in the White House, indicates that three in four Americans feel Obama has the personal qualities a president should have. But when asked if Obama agrees with the respondent on the issues, that number drops to 57 percent.

"Americans have two different assessments of President Obama. One, personal. The other, policy," says CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider. "What does the public find most controversial about President Obama? His policies, much more than his personal qualities."

"Now that Obama is president, the number who agree with his views on the issues has gone down, while the number who say he has the right personal qualities has gone up," adds CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "That didn't happen the last time we had a new administration. In George W. Bush's first months in office, the number who thought he had the right personal skills to be president was lower than the number who felt that way during the 2000 presidential campaign."

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday, with 2,019 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus two percentage points.

Filed under: Poll • President Obama


Simpliticus   April 27th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

It is all about priorities. I too would like to see the President address the FISA matter but the economy is more important at this time! But do not be surprised if the 9/11 events are reopened. I have to suspect that the recent NYC flyover and scare may be associated with reopening the World Trade Center attacks!

Lucy   April 27th, 2009 4:48 pm ET

What's not to like? I still believe together we can change the world!

Georgio   April 27th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

During the election this President was underestimated.".they will not vote for him when they get tot the booth, people are lying to the poll takers, Will not carry Pa, Jews in Florida will not vote for him, Latinos will not vote for him". Lately, I have noticed the tone of the pundits who predicted all this doom and gloom that' his more popular than his policies and now the polls are bearing this out!..what coincidence?. How do you separate the President himself from his policies? Can the same be said about or was the same poll take on Bush?. Was Bush policies popular than the President himself or was the other way around?. So In his policies he goes from 67% of total job approval to 57%..this still look healthy # to me. Did Bush have the same economic problem the country is facing to day besides the disputed election?. Mr. Keating there was no economic crises in the country..so why would people be critical of Bush's policies at that time?. It seems like it only news when his polls are going down!

TCM   April 27th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

What grade would you give Barack Obama on his presidency so far?

34.19% A+
12.03% B
5.97% C
7.57% D
2.53% E
37.73% F-

From US NEWS and World REPORT....non biased....unlike MSM...get with the program CNN!!

Maizie Helinsbach   April 27th, 2009 4:45 pm ET

This poll shows that Obama is more popular than his policies, meaning that Obama's main concern is his own image and not the condition of the country. Get wise, supporters of this failed president.

jp,michigan   April 27th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

The first 100 days to many policies were shoved done the throat's of Americans and to hard to swallow. The spend thrift President used taxpayer monies to try and buy out the financial and automotive companies, when will we see good positive results. He also spent time bashing the former President (who did deserve it) and making excuses for the American people to foreign citizens abroad.

Mari( maybe one of my comments will be posted)   April 27th, 2009 4:41 pm ET

His approval rating would be even higher if pollsters could reach those of us, with cell phones.

Also, there is a lot of fear-mongering and misinformation out there, clouding some people's view of President Obama.

God bless, guide and protect President Obama & his family!

Bill in Austin   April 27th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Only 28% of Republicans think that the President is doing a good job. From all the whining, I didn' think it was that high. Geez, talk about a bunch of sore losers.

Robin   April 27th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Agreed. He is a nice person, good husband, and better father.

But he is lacking in his presidential duties. I am not happy with him at all.

Marcia   April 27th, 2009 4:38 pm ET

After all the feces that Bush/Cheney have done to this country......... Obama could sit on his hands, and we would be better off!

Eleanor   April 27th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Interesting. He is doing exactly what we elected him to do! Small wonder the Repugnants disapprove. The Dems should be more supportive of him, and everyone else should just lay off and give the guy a CHANCE!

He was handed one helluva MESS from the former administration! Cut the guy some slack!! Darned few would have coped as well as he is doing.

Go Mr. President! You're doing fine, and we applaud you.

The party of "No!!" contributes nothing to the debate but rancor and sour grapes. Ignore them!

awaitingliberalizationbyCNN   April 27th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

I would like to apologize to the world on behalf of the United States for electing such an incompetent, arrogant, befuddled socialist to the presidency of the United States. Many of our citizens are arrogant liberals, who cannot tell reality from fiction and this man was of course funded by George Soros, ACORN and the unions. There does that sound enough like Hussein to get applause and congratulations from CNN?

The disparity cannot last.....   April 27th, 2009 4:34 pm ET

his ratings will drop like a stone.

independent   April 27th, 2009 4:32 pm ET

blind leading the blind, i can careless about rethugs too

Sharon   April 27th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

Obama is at least trying to do all he said he would. Keep up the good work. It will take time to fix this mess and I'm willing to wait. I've never seen a President's first 100 days so examined. Thanks for being true to your word and making every effort to help us.

big papa   April 27th, 2009 4:27 pm ET

Where's the poll on the media CNN?

...who's keeping an eye on those who've provided our information AND misinformation over these past eight years...

...it seems to me that the public interest has been jettisoned for a cult of personalities (we see the same old commentators, prognosticators, and so-called pundits and experts)...

...and everybody KNOWS the corporate brigands are their bosses...

...so is this the FOX that watcheth the henhouse?

Keith in Austin   April 27th, 2009 4:27 pm ET

America does not like big government ans socialistic policies. Enough said.

Lester   April 27th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

Polls Polls Polls, they don't matter.

fearful for my country   April 27th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

Of course he's popular. He's the king of the hood. The people gave him the best government housing available.

Art   April 27th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

What kind of article is this where you sya trhe numbers are down and do not think it is important to tell us the numbers......but you do feel it important to tell us the numbers that tell a positive story???

You guys are on the verge of being the next NY Times.....please get your act togther, Grow up and talk to some people who arent afraid to lose their job if they talk tough about both parties.....

Belive it or not there is still time to act like journalists again.

Thanks.

Jeff from Atlanta   April 27th, 2009 4:23 pm ET

That's because his policies suck!

Frann in CA   April 27th, 2009 4:22 pm ET

I love my President but he made a big mistake with Geithner's appointment. It's way overdue to take a look at the banks and wall street. What is good for wall street is NOT good for main street.

I realize the President inherited what he was elected to correct, but what's unraveling and has unraveled needs a wider reach for correction than Geithner has acted on.

We need a 'my bad' and a new official.

nancy   April 27th, 2009 4:15 pm ET

CNN.... Give the guy a break! Where were you when our last so called President was laying low and doing absolutely nothing? Obama has been president for 100 days. Bush was President?? for 8 years!!!!! Oh yea, ask the republicans what they think of the President. What they heck do you expect them to say? Please try to poll people with a brain. I for one would give Obama an A+ and by the way, bi-partisanship goes both ways.

Glenn Doty, Columbia, SC   April 27th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

Thanks for the lack of detail.

"agrees with the respondents on the issues" is utterly meaningless. In case you hadn't noticed, the White House is promoting several different major policy initiatives all at once. If the question was some form of omnibus "do you agree with the president on all issues", then I would say no – as I don't agree with the president on ALL issues, nor do I agree with him on ALL of the specifics of any issue.

I am, however, a supporter of the president who agrees more solidly with the White House proposals than with the (nothing) policies put forward by the GOP.

If the "agrees with the president on the issues" was an average rating of the individual support for the stimulus, budget, carbon cap-and-trade, health care, and immigration initiatives... then this is interesting polling information that SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHARED by a decent news agency.

There are times when details actually matter, and they should be printed.

Mima   April 27th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

With all that is going on in the world and at home at this time I think President Obama is doing a great job!
What do peole expect in 100 days Miracles! let's be realistic!!
It takes time to turn the economy around.
It takes time to assure the American people our economy will stabilize and prosper once again. I belive in us I believe in America.
100 days is definitely not enough time!
I also think that we as a nation should come together in these hard times and the parties should come together for the American people and put all politics a side.
We the people will speak up again in the next elections for all of you who refuse to form a govt for the people in a time of crisis!

Big Ed   April 27th, 2009 4:10 pm ET

President Obama seems like he is methodically taking on many problems that we have. Some that were created by the Bush Administration, some the Bushies wouldn't take on. I think he is showing great determination.The future will tell how well the plans worked, at this point I am happy that someone is showing leadership and is wanting to address what needs to be addressed.

Enlightened Voter   April 27th, 2009 4:08 pm ET

President Obama's policy have had one focus, to help this country and restore it. I guess to the republicans it was ok when we were rebuilding Iraq and making Halliburton uber rich but they don't like when you try to rebuild America.

Barbara Campbell   April 27th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

President Obama has brought Americans into the White House, literally and metaphorically. He is a true representative of We The People. It's unfortunate that Republicans have chosen to oppose him at every opportunity, continuing the divisive tactics of the last eight years.

Allen in Hartwell GA   April 27th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

I hope that those who disapprove of President Obama's policies realize that many of these policies are driven by the situation he inherited from the last administration. No one likes taking bad-tasting medicine, but sometime it's the only way to get better.

J.P.   April 27th, 2009 4:04 pm ET

"Iiiiiiiii'm the cult of person-allll-ity."

sensi johnson   April 27th, 2009 4:00 pm ET

We will continue to bring the "Obamacans" (Republicans who support Obama) home.

Chi Town   April 27th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

That will all change shortly...
Check back in 18 months

Free at Last   April 27th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

That was true about Reagan as well....

Mississippi Mike   April 27th, 2009 3:55 pm ET

If you like him but don't like his policies, are you going to be voting for him in 4 years?

Obama is a boring nerd with radical policies. People don't like him, they like the idea of him. He's a fad and if he isn't careful he will be hung out to dry like Paris Hilton.

Biased   April 27th, 2009 3:55 pm ET

Of course it is his popularity.... always has been since he himself said upon becoming a Senator and it is on video for all to see, that he would not run for President in 08 because he felt himself to be unqualified for the job.

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